“We're already competitive in just about every league (in the country),” said Fox, at the tail end of his 12th season at UTSA.

Indeed, the Roadrunners should get even better with the upcoming moves. Not only will they have access to better recruits, they'll have the means to lure them with more prestigious affiliation and the world-class venue currently under construction at the Park West athletic complex.

“This is turning into a really, really good situation,” Fox said. “The thing that's exciting is, we've been able to (be successful) at UTSA with not many people knowing where we're at. So it's a huge step up.”

So much so that Fox thinks UTSA “absolutely” can eventually compete for national titles in both genders.

While that wouldn't provide nearly the same lift as success in football or basketball, UTSA will have to make do for now.

The men's team enjoyed its customary success at the recent Southland outdoor championships, winning its third title in five years. It came on the heels of their record seventh straight indoor title.

While Fox has had the men's program humming for years, the women's team is rounding into form in his fourth year at the helm. Though they missed the Southland title by 2.5 points, their second-place finish was UTSA's best in 15 years.

“Now the women are going to be really motivated,” Fox said, “and we have 95 percent of the team coming back.”

Twenty-four UTSA athletes will compete in 18 total events at the NCAA Championships Preliminary Round, which began Thursday in Austin.

Though there are no team titles at stake, Fox will likely be the same bundle of nerves he is at every competition.

“I'm very passionate about what I do ... so (meets) are three days of ultra-stress,” Fox said. “I still get that same feeling when I used to compete. Except I don't have any control over the outcome.”

Maybe not once the starter's pistol goes up. But with everything that happens until then, particularly which athletes to sign and how to train them, Fox has proven to be a master.